All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #995 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Heather was normally __________, she shied away from walking across the swinging rope bridge.
obstinate
intrepid
pragmatic
disinclined
timorous
intrepid
Someone who is intrepid is fearless. The statement says that although Heather was too scared to walk across the swinging rope bridge, she is normally quite adventurous. Thus, the word that is the best fit in the sentence is intrepid.
Example Question #996 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The small town bustled as everyone prepared to give the __________ politician a grand welcome.
despised
eminent
measly
disappointed
emergent
eminent
Eminent means prominent or distinguished. The townspeople are putting effort into welcoming the politician because of this quality. While emergent is also plausible, if the politician is new to the political scene, it does not fit the "grand welcome" as well as eminent. The other answers are all negative, and the blank fits with a positive adjective.
Example Question #997 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The root of the word "__________" comes from a Greek myth about a young boy who could not stop himself from staring longingly at his own reflection; he fell in love with his own beauty.
substance
comely
steadfast
narcissistic
preternatural
narcissistic
The word narcissistic comes from the Greek myth about a boy named Narcissus who falls in love with his own reflection. It means self-absorbed and vain. If you did not know this you would have to try and eliminate answer choices. Steadfast means resolute, substance means of value, and preternatural means unnatural or supernatural. None of the previously mentioned words make much sense in the context of the sentence. Comely could perhaps be considered an adequate answer, but comely means just cute, not beautiful. Narcissistic is the best option.
Example Question #998 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
_________ displays of wealth were common among the rulers of Renaissance Europe; some observers enjoyed the displays of luxury, others complained that the Kings were just showing off.
Ostentatious
Insular
Equitable
Steadfast
Halting
Ostentatious
From the information revealed in the sentence you know that the blank word must be close in meaning to “wealth” and “luxury.” Also, the notion that the Kings were showing off suggests that some people found it not just rich, but also showy. This should lead you to the correct answer ostentatious. Ostentatious means marked by a vulgar or showy display of wealth. Insular means inwardly focused; halting means speech characterized by frequent pauses; steadfast means resolute; equitable means fair and agreeable.
Example Question #999 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The palace at Versailles is one of the most __________ in all of Europe; it remains a popular tourist site today due to the excessive luxury on display.
laconic
indoctrinated
whimsical
extravagant
reserved
extravagant
The second clause in the sentence describes how people come from all over to witness the “excessive luxury” of Versailles. This should indicate to you that the first blank must describe the luxurious nature of the palace. The correct answer is therefore extravagant which means fancy or excessive. Whimsical means quirky or silly; reserved means contained; indoctrinated means to have been caused to believe something; laconic means brief.
Example Question #994 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sarah’s teacher instructed her that her essay needed greater focus; the teacher felt that the thesis was far too _________.
propserous
supercilious
terse
demanding
ambiguous
ambiguous
The first clause reveals that the teacher faulted the essay for lacking focus; therefore the blank at the end of the sentence must mean unfocused or vague. This means the correct answer is ambiguous. Terse means brief; supercilious means arrogant or condescending; prosperous means wealthy.
Example Question #995 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ struggle of the Hawaiian nationalist movement ended in complete capitulation.
reinforced
futile
jubilant
monotonous
successful
futile
The sentence tells you that the Hawaiian nationalist movement ended in complete capitulation (surrender) which means the struggle must have been unsuccessful/insignificant. Of the five possible answer choices futile best matches this definition. Futile means pointless or useless; jubilant means very happy; monotonous means boring.
Example Question #321 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ man could often be found in the local haunt or a roadside establishment, lingering longer than even the pool players or the karaoke enthusiasts.
colloquial
bibulous
sonorous
dissentious
compunctive
bibulous
"Bibulous" refers to a person who is fond of drinking. The context of the sentence provides clues that indicate that the individual in the sentence frequents bars or saloons and stays longer than a casual drinker.
Example Question #996 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The commentators felt that the way the linebacker plowed into the wide receiver, running into him with full force out of bounds, was __________ to barbarity.
nether
naught
disparate
tantamount
radical
tantamount
"Tantamount" means equal in value or meaning, and the description of the way the linebacker hits the wide receiver in the sentence seems to indicate that the hit was uncalled for, or too harsh for the fact the receiver was out of bounds. This would indicate a comparison to a barbarous act, so “tantamount” fits to complete the sentence.
Example Question #885 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After a chaotic move to a new state, the family was eager to settle in to a __________ period before they both began new jobs later that month.
halcyon
jaunty
temperate
lavish
tempestuous
halcyon
The sentence is structured to create a contrast between the “chaotic” state of the family’s move and the period before their new jobs start. The correct choice will be a word that means something similar to calm or tranquil, and so the correct choice is "halcyon."
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